Strep-serving machine



Nov. 24, 1936. T. R. GAUTIER El AL 20,130

STRIP SERVING MECHANISM Original Filed March 3, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1laapeaaiorm: Trevorkaauiier- Nov. 24, 1936.

T. R. GAUTIER ET AL STRIP SERVING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I OriginalFiled March 3, 1928 Inveniom w u u I w n a 7 e w H Q.W\ km \wmm mm w 9mm ow 8 k mm &8 3 .3 :V glQ NOV. 24, 1936. T, GAUTIER AL Re. 20,180

I \STRIP SERVING MECHANISM 4 Sfieets-Sheet 3 II/1 IIIIIIIIIII l v 1 v1936. T. R. GAUTIER ET AL 20,180

STRIP SERVING MECHANISM Original Filed March 3, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Reiuued Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES STRIP-SERVING MACHINE Trevor a.Gautier and mm a. Nichols, Nashua, N. 11.,asaignorstoNaahuaGummedandOoated Paper Company, of 'MalsachnacttlNashna, N. H., a corporation Original No. 1.732338, dated October 22,1928, Serial No. 258,875, March 3, 1928. Application for reissue October11, 1930, Serial No. 488,168

2: Claims. '(cl'. 91-145) Our invention relates to mechanism forserving,

or. serving and moistening, strip material and more particularly aims toprovide an improved poweroperable, manually-controllable automatic meansfor delivering and cutting off, or delivering, moistening and cuttingoff, predeterminable lengths of adhesive or gummed tape or the like, asfor package sealing purposes. ventlon is an improvement upon themechanism disclosed in the copending application of E. H. Chabot, SerialNo. 175,532, filed March 15, 1927, as a division of the lattersapplication Serial No. 61,901 filed October 12, 1925, and in such orother respects is within the broad scope of certain claims therein.

In the drawings illustrating one form of our invention:---

Fig. 1 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in verticallongitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the upper left'portion of Fig. l but showingthe parts in operating position.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the control mechanism or head;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section of a portion of the control head;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the control head frame or casting, priorto assembling;

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical and horizontal sectlonal views, respectively,upon a larger scale,

illustrating details of the control mechanism; 7

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views, partially diagrammatic, illustratingsuccessive operating positions of a portion of the automatic controlmechanism;

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross section through the tape-supply supportingand positioning means; and

Figs. 13, 14 and illustrate a modification also in accordance with ourinvention, Figs. 13 and 14 being partial side elevations, as viewed fromthe left of the machine, and showing respectively two positions of theparts, and Fig. 15 being a section on the line i5l5 of Fig. 13.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 3,the mechanism as a whole is preferably mounted upon a platform or base Iupon which are set the spaced side frames 2, I.

interconnected as by the feed floor 8 and by the tie rods 4, 4 near theforward or moistening and delivery end of the machine.

Said tie rods are adapted to serve as supports for the moistening.means, illustrated as a reser- In certain respects our invoir or tank 5from which projects an inverted brush moistener 6. The moistening means,including reservoir and brush, as shown, is readily bodily removable,being received upon the tie rods and provided with suitably spaceddepending bosses I, I for receiving one tie rod 4 between them, toposition and retain the reservoir.

The tape supply, usually in roll form, is adapted to be supported at therear end of the machine, the end opposite the moistening and deliveryend. For this purpose we have provided the rearwardly andupwardly-extending tape bracket 8 preferably secured to the base I, orit may be positioned independently thereof. This bracket carries alateral stud 9 (see also Fig. 12) adapted to support rotatably a roll ofgummed paper or other tape'or strip material T to be dispensed, the stud8 being positioned at a proper height to support for free movement thelargest diameter roll which it is desired to use.

In connection with said bracket and stud we have provided novel meansfor retaining the tape roll in feeding position and at the same timecontrolling the tension on the tape and preventing back lash. Asillustrated, said means comprises a single element including a weightedmember III which may have its under face properly concaved to conformgenerally to the periphery of the tape roll upon which it rests.Integral with or secured to the weight I0 is a depending arm or fork Iiformed with a vertical slot i! open at its bottom to permit said memberto be passed downwardly over the stud 9. Projecting laterally from thewe-ght is a plate or extension l3 having series'of'slots or openings l41 whereby the plate may be-passed downwardly over the upper portion orfinger I 5 of the tape bracket 8. If desired, and as illustrated, thetransverse member or plate l3 and the depending member or fork ll may beformed of a single strip bent at right angles and attached to theweight. By reason of the plurality of the openings ll, the describedpositioning and regulating isadvanced to the feed floor 3, passing firstbeneath'a guide roll it rotatably supported between the side frames orthe upward extensions thereof or stands l1, l1, and is adapted to be fedforwardly across the feed floor by mechanism to be described. Near theforward portion of the feed floor andjust to the rear of the severingmeans the tape passes beneath a removable weighted member i5, preferablyhaving a somewhat convex lower face, and which may be similar to themember disclosed and claimed in the patent to T. R. Gautier, No.1,568,506, dated January 5, 1926. The tape then passes beneath the fixedblade I! carried by the side frames and constituting a portion of thetape severing means, and thence is guided forwardly across the reservoirand over the brush moistener to the delivery point.

The tape is guided in proper moistenlng relation to the brush as bymeans of the plate or presser 25 resting freely upon the tape as itpasses over the brush. Said plate or presser is arranged for verticalpivotal or yielding movement and, as illustrated, is readily bodilyremovable from the machine together with the weighted member I3. Forthis purpose the plate is formed with a rearward extension 2| receivedbetween and pivotally connected, as at 22, to upright lugs 23, 23, uponthe member l5 (see particularly Figs. 1 and 3). The forward face of theweighted member l5, when the latter is in assembled position, rests, oris forced by the feed, against the rear face of the fixed blade I3, andthe rearward extension 2| of the plate overlies said blade. Both theplate 20 and the member l8 are thus retained in proper position, whileenabling them both to be removed together by merely-grasping and liftingeither of them. Claims for a strip guiding means, including, among otherfeatures, a plate and associated depresser as above described arecontained in our co-pending application, Serial No. 385,533, fliedAugust 13, 1929. Claims for moistening means and associated parts asherein described or adapted for use in connection with the presentinvention are contained in the co-pending applications of T. R. Gautier,Serial No. 754,125, filed December 5, 1924, Patent No. 1,732,638; SerialNo. 39,275, flied June 24, 1925, Patent No. 1,732,639; and Serial No.135,062, filed September 13, 1926, Patent No. 1,732,637.

For feeding the tape there is provided a feed .wheel or roll which, asillustrated, need not be of the full width of the tape. This feed roll25 (see particularly Fig. 2) is fast on a cross shaft 25 ioumalled atits opposite ends in bearings 21, 21 on the respective side frames andheld against longitudinalshifting movement as by the collars 23, 26.Said feed roll may be actuated in any suitable manner, as by a pulley onthe shaft 25, but is preferably arranged for direct motor drive from anelectric motor 3., herein mounted upon the platform I, but which may beotherwise supported. Fixed on the shaft 26, herein between the sideframes 2, 2, is a worm gear 32 meshing with a worm 3| formed on ordirectly connected with the rotor of the motor 30. The feed floor 3 isformed with an opening 33 (see Figs. 1 and 3) into which the feed roll25 projects to engage with its periphery the under face of the tape.

The remaining portion of the feed mechanism which cooperates with thedriven feed roll 25 to feed the tape, and also the entire feed controlmechanism, in accordance with the present form of the invention, ismounted on or carried by a control head or frame. As best seen in Fig.6, said head comprises a main frame or carrier preferably formed as anintegral element or casting. Said frame together with the parts carriedby it will hereinafter be referred to as the control head. As best seenin Figs. 1, 4 and 6,

this frame or carrier 35 comprises a main or carrier portion 35 ofsubstantially the width of the machine and provided near its rear partwith downwardly extending lugs or ears 31 formed with bearings 35, 33for pivotaiiy supporting the entire control head, as upon the stud shaft33 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 5) extending between the stands I], I I on theside frames. The guide roll l6 previously mentioned is also mounted onsaid stud shaft 33.

Forwardly of the point of pivotal support of the control head thecarrier frame 35 is provided at its opposite sides with bearings forrotatably supporting a cross shaft 4| to which is fixed the upper feedroll 42, in position to cooperate with the lower and driven feed roll 25so as to feed the tape between them when the upper feed roll engages theupper face of the tape and is free to rotate. The control head includesa forwardly extending operating lever 43 which may be of the generalform seen in Fig. 4, having a finger piece 44 at its forward end. Saidlever 43 may be provided with means such as the button 45 for connectionwith a pedal or other foot control means.

The operating lever" and entire control head is normally maintained inraised position, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, as by means of asufliciently strong spring 45 through which extends a guide rod 41secured at its upper end to the projection 48 on the operating lever orother portion of the control head and slidably guided at its lower endin a boss 49 on the adjacent side frame 2. This spring bears at itslower end against the upper face of said boss and at its upper endagainst a thumb screw or adJustable collar 50 threaded upon the guiderod 41. From the foregoing it will be understood that when the controlhead is depressed by downward pressure on the lever 43, compressing thespring 45, the upper feed roll 42 is brought down into position toengage and feed the tape in cooperation with the lower and driven feedroll 25. The upper feed roll is rotated only by reason of its co-actionwith the lower and driven feed roll, through the tape engaged betweenthem. The tape is accordingly fed so long as the two feed rolls remainin tape engaging position and the upper feed roll is left free torotate.

Upon release of the depressed operating lever, the control head isreturned to its inoperative or raised position and the tape is severed,as by means of the pivoted blade 52 supported at one end upon one of theside frames and cooperating in a shearing manner with the fixed blade I!previously mentioned. The pivoted blade is operatively connected at itsfree end with the operating lever as by means of the adjustable rod 53,suflicient movement of said rod relative both to the operating lever andto the pivoted blade being afforded in its connections therewith topermit it to conform to the slightly arcuate movement of the operatinglever. The pivoted blade is disposed normally to lie below the path ofthe tape and to return to such position immediately upon completion ofthe severing operation, a lost-motion or similar connection between theblade and the rod 53 being provided such as to permit the blade to dropback to a normal position clear of the path of the tape, although theoperating lever remains fully elevated. This clearing action of theblade may be assisted by a suitable spring if desired. The operatingmember and control head are limited in their upward movement by suitablemeans such as that seen in Fig. 5, the carrier or casting 35 beingformed at one or both sides with a bossor a stop 55 to contact with theforward face of the stand ll on the corresponding side frame.

The construction and arrangement of the control head, as hereinillustrated, is such that the same frame or casting is adapted for usewith several different control mechanisms, to adapt the machine forcontrol in a like number of different ways, according to the conditionsunder which it is to be utilized. For example, in many instances it ismerely desirable that the machine shall feed and moisten tape underpoweroperation, the operating period and consequent length of tape fed to bedetermined by the length of time the operating lever is held depressed.In such case, with the described mechanism, the operator depresses thelever and control head, the tape is fed out and moistened, and theoperator releases the lever, effecting stoppage of feed and causing tapeseverance, when he judges that the desired length has been delivered.For accomplishing this result the machine need include only themechanism described to this point, the control head carrying, inaddition to its spring and its blade-operating connections, only thecross shaft 26 and upper feed roll 42 thereon. The machine so equippedmay be referred to as In other instances it is desirable that theoperator be able to determine accurately at any instant the length oftape which has been fed, rather than leaving this determination to hisjudgment and operating skill as in type "A". To afford such measuredoperation under manual control, in accordance with the invention thecontrol head is supplied in addition with suitable measuring orindicating mechanism and when so equipped may be referred to as type B.

Referring to Figs. l'to 6, and more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, and 4,the control head is provided in type 3" with an additional cross shaft51 journalled at its opposite ends in the sides of the control head,preferably somewhat above the axis of the upper feed roll 42, as in thebearings indicated at 58 in Fig. 6. Fixed on said shaft 51 is a worm orspiral 59 and also a pinion 6. meshing with a similar pinion 6| fixed onthe shaft 4| of the upper feed roll 42. The spiral or worm is thusrotated by and proportionately to the upper feed roll 42, andconsequently in proportion to the length of tape fed.

To the rear of the shaft 51 the control head frame or carrier 35 isdrilled, as at 52, Fig. 6, to receive the rod 63 upon which is rockablyand slidably supported a finger 64 (see particularly Figs. 1, 3 and 4)having depending from its forward end a partial nut 65 adapted to meshwith the worm 59 at certain times. Said slidable and rockable finger 64has fixed to its rear portion a leaf spring 66 the lower portion ofwhich engages a stationary rod 61 extending between the stands l1, I! onthe machine side frames. This spring tends to urge the nut 65 downwardlyand toward the spiral 59.

When the control head is in raised or normal and inoperative position,as in Fig. 1, the finger 64 and partial nut 65 carried thereby areraised away from the spiral so that said nut is out of engagementtherewith. This is herein effected by reason of a downwardly projectingnose 68 on the finger 64, the rear face of which nose is engageable in acamming manner with the stationary rod 61, but at the side thereofopposite that contacted by the spring 66. It will be understood that asthe control head is depressed all parts thereon, including the finger 54move bodily about the control head pivot 39. The pivot 53 of the finger64 is thus moved counterclockwise or to the left in Figs. 1 and 3,tending to carry the nose 63 away from the stationary rod 61,sufllciently to permit the spring 66 to rock the finger and partial nut65 down into engagement with the spiral as shown in Fig. 3. A reverseoperation takes place when the depressed control head is released, andlifted by its return spring 45, the nose 53 being cammed upwardly by thestationary rod 61 and thus lifting the nut away from the spiral and backinto the normal or inoperative position of Fig. 1.

In this manner the nut, normally out of engagement with the spiral, isbrought into operative engagemmt with it for actuation therebysimultaneously with the bringing of the upper feed roll into tapefeeding relation with the driven feed roll 25. Rotation of the spiralwill thus cause the nut to be traversed, its supporting finger 54sliding along the rod 63.

Projecting upwardly from the traversable nut 65 is a pin 59 received inan arcuate slot Ill formed in an indicator or pointer ll swivelled onthe upper face of the control head, as at 12, and cooperating with ascale or index 13 marked in inches or other suitable units to indicatethe length of tape fed. By watching the indicator II, which is movedproportionately to the length of tape fed by the mechanism abovedescribed, the operator may tell at any time the length which has beendelivered and moistened. when the indicator shows that the desiredlength has been reached, the operator releases the lever, whereupon thecontrol head is returned to the position of Fig. l, the tape feed isinterrupted by movement of the upper feed roll away from the driven feedroll 25, and the served portion of tape is severed. With the return ofthe control head to raised position the traversable half-nut 65 is alsolifted out of engagement with the spiral to permit it to shift backtransversely of the machine to its initial or zero position. Such returnof the nut 55 is effected as by means of the coil spring II whichencircles the rod 63 on which the nut is carried and bears at itsopposite ends against the finger 64 and the side of the control head,forcing the finger back against a stop or collar on said rod. It willthus be seen that the control head is constructed and arranged foractuation under manual control either with or without a positiveindicating mechanism to show or visually measure the length fed, inaccordance with the arrangement of type B or A respectively.

Under still other conditions it is desirable that an adjustable butaccurately predeterminable length of tape may be served, the feed to beterminated automatically at the desired length. For this purpose themachine may additionally be equipped with novel feed-stop mechanism, forthe reception of which the control head is particularly adapted, inaccordance with the present invention. This latter equipment may bereferred to as type C".

Referring still to Figs. 1 to 6 and first more particularly to Figs. 4and 6, the control head is provided with an additional bar 80 slidablybut non-rotatably received in openings at the opposite sides of thecontrol head, one of which is seen at 8| in Fig. 6, illustrated as asquare opening to cooperate with a like formed section of said slidablebar to prevent rotation thereof. The slidable bar carries a stop 02, seealsorigs. l,2and3,inpositiontobeengaged by the nut-68117 8 finger 69 andis threaded at one end, herein the left as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, toreceive an adjustable thumb-nut 93. The flange of this adjustable nutprojects into a groove 04 formed in the head 99 of a plunger 00, seen indetail in Fig. 8. Said plunger is slidable in a housing 91, beingnormally urged outwardly as by a coil spring 90 surrounding a portion ofthe plunger of reduced diameter and bearing intermediate the shoulder 99on the plunger and the inner end of the housing. Outward movement of theplunger is limited as by means of a stop 9| thereon working in a slot 92in the plunger housing. At its inner end the plunger is formed with anose 93 and an inclined cam portion 94.

Said plunger cooperates with feed-stop mechanism preferably carried bythe control head and which may be best described with reference to theFigs. 9 to 11 butwhich is also seen in Figs. 1 to 4. Upon the crossshaft 4| and coaxial with the upper feed roll 42 is fixed a ratchetwheel 95; see particularly Figs. 2 and 4. Above said ratchet wheel is aspring-pressed detent or dog 96, seen in detail in Fig. '7, and which isguided for sliding movement toward and away from the ratchet wheel in ahousing 91 removably mounted on the control head.

The detent is urged downwardly or outwardly .ratohet wheel 99.

of the housing as by the coil spring 99 hearing intermediate the detentand the upper wall of the housing. Projecting laterally from the detentand toward the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 7 is a pin 99 extendingthrough a slot I90 in the housing and whereby the detent may be held upagainst its spring pressure or be permitted to drop.

Said pin 99, as best seen in said Figs. 9 to 11, rests upon one end of arockable latch I pivotally supported as at I02 upon the ad acent wall ofthe control head. At the opposite side of its pivot point this latch isformed with a shoulder I03 adapted to be engaged by a nib I04 of atrigger I05 pivoted at I06 upon the same wall of the control head. Saidtrigger has a rearwardly projecting finger I01 which rests upon the nose93 of the spring-pressed plunger 99 previously described.

The normal position of the parts Just mentioned is that shown in Fig. 9,which they occupy during non-feeding of the machine, and also duringfeeding, up to the point at which the feed is to be terminated.Referring to said Fig. 9, it will be understood that if the triggerfinger I01 is lifted the nib I04 will be caused to slide off from theshoulder I03 into the position shown in Fig. 11, in so doing firstlifting the pin 99 slightly and still further compressing its spring 90,and then permitting said spring to depress the detent 96 into engagementwith the The detent and ratchet wheel are so arranged that immediatelyupon their inter-engagement they hold the upper feed roll 92 from tapefeeding movement, that is, as herein illustrated, from movement inaclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. The lower or driven feedroll 25 at such time may continue its rotation but merely slips past theadjacent face of the tape without feeding it, due to the stationaryposition of the upper feed roll. Thus the motor may run continuous- 17.

stop 92, by sliding its bar 89 through the medium of the thumb nut 00,so that the nut-carrying finger 00 will just come up into engagementwith the stop I! when the pointer is over said indication. To facilitatethis adjustment the rod 09 upon which the nut carrying finger 00 ismounted may be made slidable in the control head and be provided at oneend, the right as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, with a head I00 which may begrasped to draw the rod outwardly, thus shifting the finger 04, the nut95 and the pointer II to the desired position.

, Having set the feed-stop mechanism, the operator may start the feedingoperation in the usual manner. by depressing the operating lever and thecontrol head to which it is attached, bringing the upper feed roll downinto tape feeding relation with the lower feed roll, and also effectingengagement of the traversable nut with its operating spiral or worm. Theoperator thereafter need not consult the feed-length indicatingmechanism to ascertain when the predetermined length of tape has beendelivered, as the feed will be stopped automatically at the properpoint. As the traversable-nut-carrying finger 09 comes up against thestop 92 it shifts the latter and the bar 00 to the right as viewed inFig. 4. Through the connecting thumb nut 00 on said bar the plunger 09is thus caused to move inwardly against its spring, engaging the plungercam 94 beneath the finger ill of the trigger I05, thus tripping thelatter and permitting the detent 99 to be forced down into engagementwith the ratchet wheel 90 thereby to stop the feed in the manner alreadydescribed.

Means is also provided whereby the automatic feed-stop mechanism, andparticularly the detent 96 and associated parts, are returnedto theirnormal position after having acted to stop the feeding and uponsubsequent release of the operating lever for return to its normal orraised position. Referring first to Fig. 9, it will be understood thatsince the plunger 00, the trigger I05, the latch Ill, and the detent 96.are all carried by the control head, they all move with the latter whenit is depressed, the pivot points I02 and I00 of the latch and triggertravelling in a short are about the stud shaft 39, which is the pivotpoint for the entire control head. The latch IOI, in addition to itsparts already mentioned, is provided with a rearwardly extending noseI09 having a rear face normally in engagement with the stationary rodilextending between the machine side frames, this engagement resultingfrom downward pressure of the spring 90 in the detent housing, which,through contact of the pin 99 with the latch IOI, tends to pivot saidlatch in a manner to move the nose I09 thereof toward the stationary rod91. As illustrated in Fig. 9 the control head and operating lever are intheir inoperative or raised position.

In Fig. 10 the same parts are shown in the depressed or operatingposition of the control head but with the detent still in raisedposition, permitting the tape to feed. In said Fig. 10 it will be notedthat the several parts have revolved about the point 39 in a counterclockwise directien so that the nose I09 of the latch II is carried outof engagement with the stationary rod II. The detent spring cannot movethis latch nose further to the right in the figure and back intoengagement with said stationary rod 61 so long as the nib IIM of thetrigger Ill! rests upon the latch shoulder III.

Assume now that the desired tape length has been fed and this triggerhas been tripped, by actuation of the stop 82 and plunger 86, to stopthe feed. The trigger nib IIM rides off the latch and the detent 96 ispermitted to be forced down by its spring. As the detent comes down thelatch is rocked'slightly upon its pivot in a clockwise'direction,bringing its nose I09 again into engagement with the stationary rod 61.This condition of the parts is that illustrated in Fig. 11, wherein thecontrol head and operating lever are still depressed. Upon release ofthe operating lever, the control head and the parts illustrated in Fig.11, with the single exception of the stationary rod 61, return bodily inan arcuate path about the center 39 and in a clockwise direction, intotheir former position, as shown in Fig. 9. This bodily movement of theparts upwardly and toward the right in Fig. 11, including the latchIIII, forces the nose III! of the latter still more strongly against thestationary bar 61. Since the control head return-spring 46 is muchstronger than the detent spring 98, the latch IIII, through saidengagement of its nose with the stationary rod 61 is caused to rock onits pivot in a clockwise direction, lifting its forward portion uponwhich the detent pin 99 rests and thereby withdrawing the detent fromthe ratchet wheel and returning it to its raised position. If desired, asmall spring (not necessary to be shown) may be provided to assist inthe return rocking movement of the trigger III on its axis I06, promptlyto bring it from its position as in Fig. 11 to its original position asin Fig. 9.

All of the parts are thus brought back again to their normal position inpreparation for the feeding of succeeding lengths of tape underautomatic control.

In Figs. 13 to 15 we have illustrated a modified form of mechanism alsoembodying our invention. In said figures parts not otherwise referred towill preferably be the same as'in figures previously described. Themechanism of said Figs. 13 to 15 exemplifies one means whereby therotary spiral or worm 59 or other rotary or measuring device with whichthe index or pointer cooperates is caused to return always to its sameor original angular position, its starting position, after eachactuation.

For this purpose we have provided a stud IIII upon one side frame 2,herein the left side, this stud serving as a hinge pin for an arm II I.Near its upper end said arm III carries a lateral pin II2 on which isjournalled one end of a link II3, the other end of which is journalledupon the adjacent projecting end of the upper feed roll shaft II. Thearm III is operatively connected with the control head operating lever43.

Said arm III is also provided at its upper end with a lateral, offsetforked portion I II, (see particularly Fig. 15) across which extends aclevis pin N5, the latter serving as a pivotal support for a wormreturning element or bumper arm I I6. The arm I I6 is formed with asecond arm portion or finger III to the end of which is secured ahelical spring II8 having its opposite end attached to a shortprojecting portion II9, formed integrally with the arm III. In theinactive or normal position of said parts, the spring H8 7 head frame.

holds the bumper arm H6 upwardly and against a burnished spot or stop Ion the arm III. At such time the operating handle 43 is raised as inFig. 13, and the forward face I2I of the bumper arm H6 is in contactwith a crank pin I22 projecting laterally and outwardly from a disk'l23attached to the outer end of a sleeve I24 journailed in the adjacentportion of the control At its inner end the sleeve I24 is formed with adiametral tongue I25 seating in a corresponding slot I26 in the adjacentend of the spiral or worm 59, thus connecting the latter, the sleeveI24, the disk I23 and the crank pin I22 for rotation in unison.

The operation of the described parts will be readily understood andparticularly by reference to Fig. 14, which illustrates the parts in aposition such as occupied during feeding operation of the machine. Whenthe control head is depressed to institute a feeding operation the linkI I3, being pivoted on its control head at its upper end, is moved down,forcing the arm III to be rocked counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. 13and 14, further tensioning the spring H8 and at the same time carryingthe bumper arm IIB as a whole rearwardly and downwardly out of the pathof the crank pin I 22, substantially into the position indicated in Fig.114. This crank pin, disk I23 and the measuring spiral 59 are thus freeto rotate. When pressure on the operating handle is released to stop thefeed, the arm III is snapped back into its original position, by reasonof its connection with the operating handle. This also brings theforward face I2I of the bumper arm II6 into engagement with the crankpin I22, in whatever position circumferentially of the axis of the diskI23 of the spiral 59 it may have been left. Engagement of the bumper armwith said crank pin, further assisted by the action of the tensionedspring III, will move the crank pin in one or the other rotarydirection, dependently upon the position in which it is first engaged,back into its original or starting position as shown in Fig. 13, thatbeing the farthest point forward or to the right, in the figures, towhich the crank pin may be moved. The crank pin is so arranged withrespect to the spiral that when the former is in its indicated startingposition the spiral will be in its desired starting position, so thatthe engaging portion of the movable pointer will immediately cooperatewith the thread of the spiral, eliminating all possible lost-motion orinaccuracy in measuring.

Our invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereofherein shown and described, its scope being set forth in the appendedclaims.

We claim: a

1. In a strip serving machine for labeling, package sealing and thelike, a support for a strip supply, roll means for feeding the strip, amotor to drive said feeding means, direct gearing connections betweenthe motor and feeding means, including a worm on the rotor element of.the motor meshing with a worm wheel co; axial with a roll of the feedingmeans, and manually controllable means to render the feeding meansoperative or inoperative during continuing operation of the motor.

2. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support for atape supply, rotary feeding means comprising a pair of rolls adapted toengage and feed tape between them, a motor and driving connections withone of said rolls, manual means whereby the-motor may be continued inoperation and the feeding action of said rolls may be intermittentlyelected or stopped at the will of the operator, other means whereby afeeding action, manually instituted, may be automatically terminated ata predetermined and variable interval without interrupting operation ofthe motor, and tape severing means connected with said manual means foroperative control thereby.

3. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support for atape supply, a plurality of separable rolls for feeding the tape fromsaid supply, means to rotate one of said rolls, tape measuring meansactuated by one of said rolls to measure and indicate the length fed,and automatic, adjustable means associated with said measuring means tostop the feed at predetermined lengths during continuing operation ofsaid roll rotating means.

4. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support for atape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tape from said supply,means to rotate said rolls, an index element, a support whereon saidelement is movable, a spiral formation rotatable proportionately withand by one of said rolls, connections between said formation and elementwhereby rotation of the roll produces a proportionate travel of saidindex element, and automatic, adjustable means associated with saidmeasuring means to stop the feed at predetermined lengths.

5. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support for atape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tape from said supply,means to rotate said rolls, an index element movable lengthwise therolls, connections between one of said rolls and said index element tomove the same in proportion to the length of tape fed, means to returnsaid element to its initial position upon completion of the feedingoperation,

and automatic, adjustable means associated with said measuring means tostop the feed at predetermined lengths.

6. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, feed rolls,means to drive the same, a lever to control said driving means, a

movable index element to measure and indicate the length of strip fed,means whereby movement of said control lever effects operativeengagement between said index element and a driven part, and automaticadjustable means associated with said measuring means to stop the feedat predetermined lengths.

'1. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair offeed rolls, a motor to drive one of said rolls, the other roll beingmovable into and out of feeding relation with the driven roll, a controllever to shift said movable roll, an index element movable to measureand indicate the length of the strip fed, a spiral arranged to berotated with and proportionately to the feeding rotation of said rolls,meansconnected to the index element and adapted to engage the spiral tocause the measuring and indicating movement of said index element, saidcontrol lever being arranged to eifect said engagement when moved tobring the rolls into feeding relation, and automatic, adjustable meansassociated with said measuring means to stop the feed at predeterminedlengths.

8. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support for atape supply, a plurality of separable rolls for feeding the tape fromsaid supply, means to rotate one of said rolls, indicating means movableproportionately to the length of tape fed, means to actuate the same,and automatic. adjustable means associated with said indicating means tostop the feed at predetermined lengths during continuing operation ofsaid roll rotating means.

9. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a .tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main or carrier portion and a memberfor pivotally'movlng said main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintaining said control head in non-operating or "off"position, a second feed roll, on said head, arranged to havetape-feeding relation with said driven feed roll in the on" position ofsaid head, then engaging the opposite face of the tape, and tapemeasuring means on said carrier portion of the control head including anindex and movable indicating member for cooperation therewith.-

10. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main or carrier portion and a memberfor pivotaliy moving said main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintaining said control head in non-operating or offposition, a second feed roll, on said head, arranged to havetape-feeding relation with said driven feed roll in the on" position ofsaid head, then engaging the opposite face of the tape. Sa d carrierportion of the control head being also provided with an index graduatedin units of tape length, a movable indicating member to cooperatetherewith, and operating connections for the latter whereby saidindicating member is moved proportionately to the length of tape fed. e'

11. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main or carrier portion-and a memberfor pivotaliy moving said main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintaining said control head in nonoperating or "08position, a second feed roll, on

said head, arranged to have tape-feeding relation.

with said driven feed roll in the on" position of said head, thenengaging the opposite face of the tape, said carrier portion of thecontrol head being also provided with an index graduated in units oftape length, a movable indicating member to cooperate therewith, anoperating member therefor, a spiral wherewith the latter is engageable,and means whereby said spiral is.rotated proportionately to the lengthof tape feed.

12. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position, a spring and stop means normally maintaining saidcontrol head in non-operating or off position, a second, feed roll, onsaid head, arranged to have tape-feeding relation with said driven feedroll in the "on position of said head, then engaging the opposite faceof the tape, said of said head, then engaging the opposite face of thetape, said control head being also pros control head being also providedwith an index graduated in units of tape length, a movable indicatingmember to cooperate therewith, an operating member therefor, a spiralwherewith the latter is engageable, and means whereby said spiral isrotated proportionately to the length of tape fed, said operating memberbeing engaged with and disengaged from said spiral in the "on" and 011"position of the control head respectively.

13. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position, a spring and stop means normally maintaining saidcontrol head in non-operating or "01! position, a second feed roll, onsaid head, arranged to have tape-feeding relation with said driven feedroll in the "on position of said head, then engaging the opposite faceof the tape, said .control head being also provided with an indexgraduated in units of tape length, a movable indicating member tocooperate therewith, an operating member therefor, a rotary cylindricalmember having a spiral formation wherewith said operating member isengageable, and gearing connections between said second feed roll andsaid cylindrical member.

14. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like. a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed; roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, a secondfeed roll bodily movable to and from feeding relation with said firstfeed roll, a ratchet-wheel mounted for rotation with said second andbodily movable feed roll, a dog engageable with said ratchet-wheel'tohold the same and said feed roll from rotation thereby to interruptthe tapefeed, and means to effect engagement of said dog and ratchetwhen a predetermined length of tape has been fed.

15. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position, a spring and stop means normally maintaining saidcontrol head in non-operating or "off position, a second feed roll, onsaid head, arranged to have tape-feeding relation with said driven feedroll in the "on position 'of said head, then engaging the opposite faceof the tape, said control head also provided with a ratchet-wheelmounted for rotation with said second feed roll, a dog engageable withsaid ratchet-wheel to hold the same and said feed roll from rotationthereby to interrupt the tape feed, and means to effect engagement ofsaid dog and ratchet when a predetermined length of tape has been fed.

16. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position, a spring and stop means normally maintaining saidcontrol head in non-operating or "off position, a second feed roll, onsaid head, arranged to have tape-feeding relation with said driven feedroll in the on" position vided with an index graduated in units of tape1 length, a movable indicating member to coopcrate therewith, anoperating member therefor, a spiral wherewith'the latter is engageable,I

means whereby said spiral is rotated proportionately to the length oftape fed, a ratchetwheel operatively connected with said second feedroll, a dog engageable with said ratchetwheel to hold the latter andsaid second feed -roll from rotation, but normally disengaged from saidratchet-wheel, and connections between said dog and saidindicator-operating member whereby said dog is caused to engage saidratchet-wheel thereby to stop the tape feed when a predetermined lengthhas been fed.

17. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main'or carrier portion and a memberfor pivotally moving said main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintaining said control head in nonoperating or off"position, a. second feed roll, on said head, arranged to have tapefeeding relation with said driven roll in the "on" position of saidhead, then engaging the opposite face of the tape, whereby tape will befed in response to movement of said control head by the operator to onposition and of a length determined by the period during which heretains said control head in on position, said carrier portion of thecontrol head being constructed and arranged for the addition thereto ofpositive tape measuring means to indicate the length of tape fed at anyinstant.

18. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main or carrier portion and a memberfor pivotally moving said main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintainingsaid control head in non-operating or "oi!"position, a second feed roll, on said head, arranged to have tapefeeding relation with said driven roll in the on position of said head,then engaging the opposite face of the tape, whereby tape will be fed inresponse to movement of said control head by the operator to on positionand of a length determined by the period during which he retains saidcontrol head in on" posi tion, said carrier portion of the control headbeing constructed and arranged for the addition thereto of automaticstopmeans to terminate the tape feed when a predetermined length thereof hasbeen fed.

19. In mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a frame, a tapesupply support, a feed roll engageable with one face of the tape fromsaid supply, a motor and drive connections with said feed roll, acontrol head pivoted on said frame for movement into and out ofoperating position and comprising a main or carrier portion and a memberfor pivotaily moving said'main or carrier portion, a spring and stopmeans normally maintaining said control head in non-operating or fofl'position, a' second feed roll, on said head, arranged to have tapefeeding relation with said driven roll in the "on position of said head,then engaging the opposite face of the tape, whereby tape will be fed inresponse to movement of said control head by the operator to "on"position and of a length determined by the period during which heretains said control head in on" position, said carrier portion of thecontrol head being constructed and arranged for the addition thereto ofpositive tape measuring means'to indicate the length of tape fed at anyinstant and also for the addition thereto of automatic stop means toterminate the tape feed when a predetermined length thereof has beenfed.

20. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair offeed rolls, a motor to drive one of said rolls, the other, roll beingmovable into and out of feeding relation with the driven roll, a controllever to shift said movable roll, an index clement movable to measureand indicate the length of the strip fed, a spiral arranged to berotated with and proportionately to the feeding rotation of said rolls,means connected to said index element and adapted to engage said spiralto cause the measuring and indicating movement of said index element,said control lever being arranged to eflect said engagement when movedto bring said rolls into feeding relation, and means to return saidspiral to its original or starting angular position after each feedingoperation.

21. In a strip serving machine, a rotary spiral, means for rotating thelatter proportionately to the length of strip served, and means toreturn said spiral to its original angular position after each stripserving operation.

22. In a strip serving machine, a rotary spiral, means for rotating thelatter proportionately to the length of strip served, an indicatingelement having connected to it a part engageable with said spiral foractuation thereby, means to effect engagement of said part and saidspiral at the start of a serving operation and disengagement at the endthereof, and means to return said spiral to its original or startingangular position after each strip serving operation.

23. In a mechanism for serving strips of tape or the like, a support-fora tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tape from saidsupply, means the like, a frame, a tape supply support, a feed rollengageable with one face of the tape from said supply, a motor and driveconnections with said feed roll, a control head pivoted on said framefor movement into and out of operating position, a spring and stop meansnormally maintaining said control head in non-operating orf'oif"position, a second feed roll, on said head, arranged to havetape-feeding relation with said driven feed roll in the on" position ofsaid head, then engaging the opposite face of the tape, said controlhead being also provided with an index graduated in units of tapelength, a, movable indicating member to cooperate therewith, anoperating member therefor, a spiral wherewith the latter is engageable,means whereby said spiral is rotated proportionately to the length oftape fed, said operating member being engaged with and disengaged fromsaid spiral in the on" and "01!" position of the control headrespectively, means to return said indicating member to zero or startingposition, and means to return said spiral to its original or startingangular position prior to reengagement of said index-operating membertherewith.

25. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, a movable index element,actuating means to move said index element proportionately to thelengthof tape fed, and automatic, adjustable mechanism operativelyassociated with one of said means to stop the feed at predeterminedlengths during continuing operation of said roll rotating means.

26. In a strip serving machine of the type described, a supply of gummedstrip, a moistening means, strip severing means, a continuously movablestrip feeding means normally out of positive engagement with the stripto be fed, means for forcing said strip into contact with the stripfeeding means to feed the same, a visual measuring device for measuringthe length of strip fed out, comprising a stationary scale and apointer, means to move the pointer along the scale in synchrony with thestrip feeding means when the same is in contact with the strip so thatthe pointer measures the length of tape fed out.

27. A strip serving machine of the type described comprising a supply ofgummed strip, a strip moistening means, a strip severing means and acontinuously movable strip feeding means normally inoperative to movethe strip, means to cause said feeding means to engage the strip to feedthe same from the machine, visual means for measuring the length ofstrip fed from the machine, said measuring means comprising a stationaryscale, a pointer movable along the scale in synchrony with the stripfeeding means when the same is in contact with the strip, and means forreturning the pointer to its normal position upon the releasing of thestrip feeding means from the strip.

28. In a strip serving device a releasable strip feeding means, a stripmoistening means, strip severing means. a visual measuring device formeasuring the length of strip fed'out consisting of a stationarymeasuring scale along which an indicating means indicative of the lengthof strip fed out is adapted to move, means to move said strip feedingmeans continuously and means to cause said strip feeding means toengagethe strip to feed the same and to cause the indicator to movealong the scale.

TREVOR R. GAU'I'IER. HAROLD E. NICHOLS.

